Thermal Energy

Front

What is thermal energy?

Back

Thermal energy is the total energy of all the particles in an object, which is related to its temperature.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS3-4

Front

What happens to the thermal energy of a substance when it is heated?

Back

When a substance is heated, its thermal energy increases, causing its particles to move faster.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is the process of freezing?

Back

Freezing is the process where a liquid turns into a solid as it loses thermal energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is evaporation?

Back

Evaporation is the process where a liquid turns into a gas, usually at the surface, as it gains thermal energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is the relationship between temperature and thermal energy?

Back

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance; higher temperature means higher thermal energy.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

What is conduction?

Back

Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact between materials.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Front

What is convection?

Back

Convection is the transfer of thermal energy through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases) caused by differences in temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is radiation?

Back

Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Front

How does thermal energy affect the state of matter?

Back

Thermal energy can change the state of matter: solid to liquid (melting), liquid to gas (evaporation), and gas to liquid (condensation).

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion; in thermal energy, it refers to the movement of particles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1